Pedestrian treated after being struck by police car

October 13, 2008|Tribune Staff Report

Mishawaka Police have released more details about an accident involving a pedestrian struck by a police car Sunday. George Psarakis Jr., 58, of Mishawaka, was struck by a squad car driven by officer Richard Freeman, 28, who was on duty and en route to a domestic disturbance call near Main and Third streets at 8:20 p.m., investigators said. Psarakis told officers that he was attempting to walk north across Third Street when Freeman, heading south on Main Street, turned left onto Third Street and struck him. Freeman told investigators that he had not spotted any pedestrians when he started his left turn, and did not see Psarakis until he heard the noise of impact. Psarakis was transported to Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend, where he was treated for head pain and released. Freeman suffered no injuries, and was able to continue his shift. The accident remains under investigation.